Top 10 Greatest Royal Rumble Matches in WWE History
Stone Cold Steve Austin at Royal Rumble 1997
10- Royal Rumble 2005
The 2005 match is remembered for its incredible star power and its infamously chaotic ending. The field was stacked with future legends like Eddie Guerrero, Edge, and Rey Mysterio. However, the finish became legendary when the final two, John Cena and Batista, accidentally tumbled over the top rope at the exact same time. This led to a furious Vince McMahon storming the ring—tearing both his quads in the process—to order a restart. ‘The Animal’ eventually won, but the unscripted chaos of the double elimination made it an unforgettable, unique spectacle.
9- Women’s Royal Rumble 2018
The inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble was a massive milestone that exceeded high expectations. It successfully blended the current roster with icons from the past, including Trish Stratus, Lita, and Molly Holly. The match felt like a celebration of the "Women’s Evolution," giving everyone a chance to shine while maintaining a competitive pace. Asuka emerged victorious after eliminating Nikki Bella, but the night ended on an even bigger note when Ronda Rousey made her shock debut. It proved that the women could carry the stipulation just as well as the men.
8- Royal Rumble 1990
This early Rumble helped define the "spectacle" of the match type. It is most famous for the legendary face-off between Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior. At the time, both were the biggest babyfaces in the company, and their brief showdown in the middle of the ring sent the crowd into a frenzy, effectively planting the seeds for their "Ultimate Challenge" at WrestleMania VI. Hogan won the first of his two back-to-back Rumble outings, but the encounter between the two icons remains the match's lasting, historically significant contribution.
7- Royal Rumble 2004
From a purely technical and storytelling perspective, the 2004 match remains one of the finest ever produced. Chris Benoit entered at number one and wrestled for over an hour, showcasing incredible resilience against giants like Big Show and Kane. The match featured a heavy emphasis on "Ruthless Aggression," with brutal exchanges and a focus on submission grappling. Despite the shadow cast by later real-life events, the match itself is an expertly paced marathon that utilized the "iron man" trope to its fullest potential, ending with an emotional and hard-fought victory.
6- Men’s Royal Rumble 2018
After several years of fans rejecting the Rumble winners, 2018 served as a much-needed course correction. The match utilized a "new school vs. old school" dynamic, featuring a fantastic standoff between the established trio of John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Randy Orton against the rising stars Shinsuke Nakamura, Finn Bálor, and Elias. The action was crisp and the booking was logical, focusing on the endurance of Bálor and the charisma of Nakamura. When Nakamura eliminated Reigns to win, the crowd erupted, relieved to see a fresh star finally reach the summit.
5- Royal Rumble 2008
The 2008 Rumble is defined by the single most shocking return in the history of the event. While the match featured a strong opening with Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, the energy shifted entirely when the countdown for number thirty hit zero. John Cena, who was expected to be sidelined for several more months with a pectoral tear, emerged to a deafening roar in Madison Square Garden. The sheer disbelief from the crowd and his fellow wrestlers created an all-time moment, ending with Cena eliminating Triple H to win.
4- Royal Rumble 2020
The 2020 Men’s Rumble was a masterclass in two-act storytelling. The first half focused on the utter dominance of Brock Lesnar, who eliminated thirteen consecutive superstars, making the audience feel a sense of genuine hopelessness. This built immense "heat" that exploded when Drew McIntyre finally eliminated "The Beast" with a thunderous Claymore Kick. The second half shifted to a celebration of work-rate and surprises, headlined by the shocking return of Edge after a nine-year retirement. McIntyre’s eventual victory felt earned, launching him into superstardom and a legitimate main-event era.
3- Royal Rumble 2007
The 2007 match is famous for having perhaps the greatest "final two" sequence in WWE history. After a chaotic 30-man brawl, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker were the last men standing. Instead of a quick elimination, they engaged in a thrilling, ten-minute mini-match that showcased their incredible chemistry. Both legends teased eliminations with heart-stopping near-falls and dramatic counters. The Undertaker eventually secured the win, becoming the first person to win from the number thirty spot, proving that the Rumble’s closing moments could be as prestigious as any main event.
2- Royal Rumble 2001
Representing the peak of the Attitude Era, the 2001 Rumble perfectly balanced star power with creative storytelling. Kane delivered a career-defining performance, eliminating a then-record eleven superstars and dominating much of the match with a terrifying presence. The "hardcore" segment, featuring trash cans and kendo sticks, gave the match a unique flavor that reflected the era's chaos. Ultimately, Stone Cold Steve Austin overcame a bloody assault from Triple H to win his record third Rumble, setting the stage for his legendary heel turn at WrestleMania X-Seven against The Rock.
1- Royal Rumble 1992
Widely considered the gold standard, this match was unique because the vacant WWE Championship was on the line. Ric Flair’s performance is the stuff of legend; entering at number three, he lasted over an hour to claim the title. Bobby Heenan’s frantic, biased commentary added a layer of desperate energy that has never been matched. The star-studded field included Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and Roddy Piper, but it was "The Nature Boy" who survived the gauntlet, punctuated by his iconic "With a tear in my eye" post-match promo.
